Description
Create a beautiful holiday turkey with rich herb butter, fresh aromatics, and foolproof instructions for perfectly cooked, juicy meat.
Ingredients
10–14 lb turkey, fresh or thawed.
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened.
2 tsp lemon zest.
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves.
1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary.
1 medium yellow onion, quartered.
8 garlic cloves, smashed.
1/2 bunch fresh parsley.
Kosher salt.
Black pepper.
Instructions
1- Allow turkey to rest at room temperature for one hour before beginning preparation process.
2- Position oven rack just below center and preheat to 350°F near end of resting time.
3- Remove giblets and neck, then thoroughly pat turkey dry inside and out with paper towels.
4- Mix softened butter with lemon zest, thyme, and rosemary until well combined.
5- Carefully separate skin from breast meat using wooden spoon handle, keeping skin intact.
6- Spread one-third of herb butter under skin on each breast, smoothing from outside.
7- Rub remaining butter all over turkey exterior, then season generously with salt and pepper.
8- Fill cavity with quartered onion, smashed garlic, and fresh parsley sprigs.
9- Place in roasting pan on rack and optionally tie legs with kitchen twine. Roast until thigh reaches 175°F and breast 165°F, about 14-15 minutes per pound.
10- Tent with foil if browning too quickly during cooking process.
11- Let rest 30-60 minutes before carving to retain juices.